Real Madrid welcomed Eibar to the Bernabeu on Saturday looking to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to one point.
The home side led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Hernandez.
Eibar improved in the second period, but Jese Rodriguez added a third for Los Blancos late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.31pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Eibar. Los Blancos must keep winning as they chase Barcelona at the top of the table, but Eibar will be buoyed after recording their first league victory in 12 games last time out. Will there be a shock here?
2.32pmFirst and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid.
2.34pmTEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Illarra, Modric, Isco; Jese, Hernandez, Ronaldo
EIBAR: Irureta; Lillo, Anibarro, Navas, Vila; Borja, Garcia; Capa, Del Moral, Lara; Berjon
2.37pmSo there we have it. Plenty of change in the Real Madrid XI this afternoon, with Keylor Navas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Asier Illarramendi, Jese Rodriguez and Javier Hernandez all coming into the team. Toni Kroos and James Rodrigues miss out through suspension, while Gareth Bale has a slight knock. Karim Bernzema and Dani Carvajal are also both rested as Carlo Ancelotti shuffles his pack in Madrid.
© Getty Images
2.40pmEibar, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation at the Bernabeu, with Manu del Moral, Javi Lara and Ander Capa providing support to the lone striker Saul Berjon. Borja Fernandez and Dani Garcia also both start, but in-form forward Mikel Arruabarrena misses out. Angel Rodriguez and Eneko Boveda are also unavailable through suspension. The atmosphere is building ahead of kickoff here...
2.43pmThis is, of course, Eibar's first-ever season in Spain's top flight and therefore their clash with Real Madrid earlier in the campaign was the first time that the two sides had met in a competitive match. It was a fairly straight-forward afternoon for Real Madrid, who triumphed 4-0. In truth, it would be one of the biggest shocks in La Liga history if Eibar were to win this afternoon. The scene is set here.
2.46pmAs it stands, Real Madrid trail the league leaders Barcelona by four points, but they will enter this match off the back of back-to-back victories in the league. Last Sunday, they thumped Granada 9-1 in this stadium, before winning 2-0 at local rivals Rayo Vallecano during the week. Barcelona face a difficult trip to Sevilla later this evening and therefore this could be a defining weekend in the title race.
2.49pmReal Madrid's home form in the league this season has been strong – winning 12 of their 14 games and losing just once. They have also scored 47 times on their own patch and conceded just nine. On the road, however, they have already lost five times, which is three more than Barcelona. They do, however, have the better head-to-head record against Barca and that could prove decisive at the end of the season.
2.50pmReal Madrid's Toni Kroos is suspended today, but he has just tweeted a good luck message...
Matchday! Good luck guys! #ToniLive @realmadrid #RealMadridvsEIB pic.twitter.com/v9vzdHtgPC
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) April 11, 20152.52pmEibar, meanwhile, shocked many with their start to the season. A strong run of form left them in the top half of the table, but since winning back-to-back games immediately after the winter break, they have been on a terrible run of form. They lost nine straight league games between January 24 and March 13, before picking up a point at Granada. They then lost at home to Rayo Vallecano, but recorded their first league win in 12 games against Malaga on Tuesday. That said, it is a really, really big ask this afternoon.
2.55pmAs a result, Eibar are six points clear of the relegation zone, which is testament to just how strong they were at the start of the season. A total of 31 points has left them in 14th position, but they are far from safe as the battle to remain in the division takes shape. Eibar have won four times on their travels this season, but scored just 12 times in their 15 away games. Right, just about time for my prediction.
2.58pmPREDICTION! To be blunt, I am finding it very hard to make a case for Eibar this afternoon. It is far from Real Madrid's strongest XI, but there is still a lot of quality in the team. It might be a tight opening 15 minutes or so, but I fully expect Real Madrid to emerge victorious. Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Eibar.
0 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not quite a full house, but there is a good atmosphere. It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
2 minIt must be said that Eibar have a strong following at the Bernabeu this afternoon, which is excellent to see. The supporters have turned out in their numbers. As expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Eibar already taking up a deep defensive shape.
4 minMarcelo delivers a dangerous cross from the left, but Raul Navas is on hand to clear and Eibar manage to ease the pressure with a free kick. You just get the feeling that the visitors need to survive the opening 15 or 20 minutes here. An early goal for Real Madrid could prove seriously damaging.
4 minCLOSE! Real Madrid come close to making the breakthrough as Isco strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post. From the resulting corner, Varane makes contact at the near post, but his effort is over the crossbar. Already Eibar are under pressure here.
6 minIt must be said that the Bernabeu pitch is in a beautiful condition at the moment, credit to the grounds staff for that. The home side continue to pass and probe outside the Eibar box in the early stages.
8 minEibar manage to break into the Real Madrid half and indeed gain a free kick when Isco brings Manu del Moral to the ground. However, the visitors cannot keep the ball for long and Real Madrid are back on the attack. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has been involved in a couple of skirmishes inside the Eibar box.
10 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Eibar have the ball in the back of the net as Fernandez converts from close range, but the whistle had already been blown for a foul on Navas. Good start to this game.
13 minEibar will be pretty pleased with their start to this match as the score remains goalless with 13 minutes on the clock. Real Madrid are having all the ball, but not creating too much at the moment here.
15 minThere have been a number of tasty challenges in the opening 15 minutes, but the referee is letting the game flow at the moment, which is good to see. Eibar continue to keep their shape and frustrate Real Madrid, who fail with another cross into the box. Not too much happening at the Bernabeu as it stands.
16 minIsco finds Ronaldo just outside the Eibar box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. The home side have another half-chance from the resulting corner, but Varane's effort was never troubling Irureta.
17 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Illarramendi strikes one from outside the box, but his effort just missed the post. Moments before, Ronaldo had attempted a spectacular over-head kick.
18 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Real Madrid have the ball in the back of the net as Hernandez converts from close range, but the striker was in an offside position when he converted from close range. Moments before, Ramos had rattled the crossbar from a corner. It is all happening now!
20 minReal Madrid have a free kick in an advanced area as Vila brings Modric to the ground...
21 min... GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Eibar (Ronaldo)
22 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough with 21 minutes on the clock as Ronaldo's free kick evades Irureta. The ball was moving all over the place, but the Eibar goalkeeper will be disappointed.
23 minCHANCE! Real Madrid come close to a second as Hernandez breaks the offside trap before squaring to Ronaldo, but the Portuguese misses the target from close range. All happening now!
25 minYou have to fear for Eibar at the moment as Real Madrid continue to force the issue. More desperate defending from Vila allows the visitors to clear, but the pressure just is not easing at the moment.
27 minThe pressure is non-stop as Marcelo delivers another cross towards the far post, but Irureta is out to claim. Eibar are down the other end moments later, but Varane is on hand to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that the visitors need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance in Madrid.
29 minIn fairness to Eibar, they are attempting to press forward, but that is leaving all sorts of space for Real Madrid down the other end. Ronaldo again looks in the mood to continue his stunning form here.
30 minHalf-chance for the home side as Hernandez strikes one from outside the box, but the Eibar goalkeeper is down to make a decent save. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Madrid.
31 minAnother Ronaldo stat...
1 - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his first free kick goal in La liga since more than a year ago (March 26, 2014 against Sevilla). Stress
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 11, 201531 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Eibar (Hernandez)
32 minReal Madrid have their second of the match just past the half-hour mark as Hernandez heads an Arbeloa cross into the bottom corner. Super finish from the Mexican and it is 2-0 to the hosts here.
33 minEibar could be on the end of a hiding here. Real Madrid are threatening to run riot in the capital.
34 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Isco dances into the box, but the Spaniard can only curl his effort into the arms of the goalkeeper. This will feel like a very long 10 minutes for Eibar.
36 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side are in complete control here as they pass and probe in the final third. Unfortunately, this is already over.
38 minSlightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Eibar gain a free kick in a decent area after a foul from Isco and Fernandez makes contact with the resulting set piece, but it is a very comfortable save for Navas.
39 minIrureta is again forced into action to deny Isco, who had found so much space outside the box.
41 minDecent spell for Eibar in the last couple of minutes as they force back-to-back corners, but Real Madrid manage to clear the danger on both occasions. Finally some extended pressure from the visitors.
41 minBOOKING! Vila (Eibar) is booked for a foul on Jese.
43 minCHANCE! Ronaldo has the chance to make it 3-0 after stepping past two defenders inside the box, but his low strike is saved by Irureta, who has been a very busy goalkeeper in this half.
43 minIsco again tests the Eibar goalkeeper as the home side go in search of their third goal.
45 minIn truth, whether Eibar remain in the league this season is not going to depend on their results at places such as the Bernabeu. They would not have picked this one out as a must-win game.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Eibar
3.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Hernandez. Eibar started quite well, but conceded a first after 21 minutes, before Hernandez made it 2-0 10 minutes later. Los Blancos are in total control here.
3.52pmSTATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 69%, while they have had 16 attempts - eight of which have been on target. Eibar, however, have only managed one attempt on target and two in total at the Bernabeu. There has also been just the one booking, with Vila carded for the visitors.
3.57pmBENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have the likes of Karim Benzema, Lucas Silva and Pepe on their bench this afternoon, while youngster Jose Jimenez is also available. Eibar boss Garitano, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Abraham, Arruabarrena and Piovaccari. Will we see any changes at the break?
46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Eibar find a route back into this match? It will be very difficult. The visitors get the second 45 minutes underway here.
47 minSUB! Eibar have made one change at the break, with Arruabarrena replacing Berjon.
47 minHalf-chance for the away side as Capa finds space in a wide area before drilling one towards the far post, but Navas is on hand to claim and immediately release Ronaldo down the left. End-to-end here.
49 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Marcelo drives down the left before setting up Jese, who feeds Modric, but his powerful effort was straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
49 minBOOKING! Arruabarrena (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Illarramendi.
51 minCHANCE! Hernandez comes close to scoring his second of the match as Arbeloa again sets up the Mexican with a super cross, but this time the striker's header flashes wide of the post.
53 minPlenty happening in the early stages of this half as both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third. Eibar are pressing forward, but that is leaving all sorts of space down the other end.
55 minEibar are certainly more threatening in this half, but they are still struggling to create chances. Real Madrid, meanwhile, look increasingly dangerous as they find more and more attacking space.
57 minJust a reminder that, as it stands, Real Madrid will be moving one point behind the league leaders Barcelona, who travel to Sevilla later this evening. This could be a big weekend in the title race!
59 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the home side are still very comfortable in terms of controlling matters. Jese again drives down the right before floating a cross towards Ronaldo, but the attacker cannot make contact. Little over 30 minutes remaining in Madrid.
61 minSUB! The hosts make their first change as Silva replaces Modric.
63 minEibar continue to work hard in the final third, but they are just not creating anything in terms of chances, which is a problem at this stage of the match. More changes imminent for the hosts...
64 minSUBS! Double change Real Madrid as Pepe and Nacho replace Ramos and Marcelo.
65 minSo there we have it. Real Madrid have made all three changes as their attention switches to the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid next week. Still some work to do here though...
66 minSUB! Eibar make their second change as Manu del Moral is replaced by Piovaccari.
68 minCHANCE! Opportunity for the home side to score a third as Ronaldo finds space outside the Eibar box, but his low strike is saved by the goalkeeper. It remains 2-0 to the hosts here.
70 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to register as Piovaccari races through on goal, but the striker just loses his footing at the vital moment and Pepe is back to clear. The Real Madrid centre-back takes a knock from Navas in the process, however, which leaves the pair in a heap!
71 minNavas took a fairly nasty blow to the head there, but the home side have made all of their changes!
72 minNavas and Pepe are both back on their feet and play resumes at the Bernabeu.
74 minCHANCE! Incredible chance for Hernandez to score his second of the match, but the Mexican's effort hits an Eibar defender before deflecting over the crossbar. Should have been 3-0!
76 minEibar continue to play good football in the final third and manage to work the ball into a wide position, but it breaks down when Nacho comes across to clear. The home side are on the counter almost straight away, but Hernandez cannot flick one into Ronaldo. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining.
77 minSUB! Eibar make their third and final change as Boateng replaces Garcia.
80 minRonaldo is not moving too well at the moment, but the Portuguese looks fit to continue. Just a reminder that Real Madrid have already made all three changes, as have Eibar.
80 minSUB! Boateng (Eibar) is booked for fouling Ronaldo just outside the box...
81 min... Ronaldo strikes the resulting free kick, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
83 minGOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Eibar (Jese)
84 minReal Madrid have their third of the match as Jese drives past two defenders before arrowing one into the bottom corner from a difficult angle. Super, super strike from the Spaniard there.
86 minCHANCE! Isco comes close to scoring a third for the home side after another sweeping move, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Eibar are really struggling at the moment.
88 minEibar are out on their feet at the moment as Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third. I would not be surprised if there was another goal in the final three or four minutes in this one.
90 minRonaldo wants a penalty as he goes down inside the box under a challenge from Anibarro, but the referee is not interested. Correct decision for me, it would have been very soft indeed.
90 min+1The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes in Madrid.
90 min+3Real Madrid want a fourth as they continue to flood forward, but it does appear that they will have to settle for 3-0, which I predicted earlier! Another comfortable afternoon for the home side.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Eibar
4.51pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 3-0 winners. As it stands, they are just one point behind the league leaders Barcelona, who travel to Sevilla later this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
